Distance Learning Complaint Process for Out-of-State Students

As a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition, Loyola strives to nurture the formation of "men and women for others" and to provide an atmosphere of cura personalis, care for the whole person, so that each individual can realize their potential. All Loyola community members have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect. In this spirit, Loyola espouses the highest ethical standards and expects students, faculty, administrators, and staff to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds these principles. There are several general areas in which these Standards of Conduct apply: official University-wide policies, legal regulations, specialized professional codes of ethics, and generally acceptable standards of personal conduct.

Loyola University Maryland places in highest regard the establishment and maintenance of a campus environment of interpersonal care and personal responsibility. Only when such a community exists can the University fulfill its goal to ensure the intellectual, ethical, social, and spiritual development and growth of its students. Honesty, integrity, and assuming responsibility for the welfare of self and others are characteristics of such a community. Loyola, therefore, sets high expectations of its students, as well as members of its faculty, administration, and staff, for conduct that supports the maintenance of a caring community. Students are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as to ensure the health and welfare of all members of the Loyola community.

To these ends, students are expected to conform to all policies and regulations of the University. These include officially adopted policies such as the Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Procedures, Employee Grievance Policy and Hearings Procedures, Policy on Consensual Relationships, Loyola University Maryland Alcohol Policies and Procedures, and Ethical Use of Technology Policy, as well as policies on academic integrity and regulations concerning parking and the use of the Loyola-Notre Dame Library. Many of these policies specify procedures for handling alleged violations.

However, students who have exhausted all internal Loyola complaint procedures and who remain unsatisfied may file a complaint with the appropriate agency in the state where the student resides. The Student Grievance Contact Information for Individual States provides phone numbers, emails and/or links to state education agencies.

Loyola University Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MD #166, Wilmington, DE 19801; 267-284-5011. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. See the Commission’s policy on filing complaints.

Loyola Distance Education Student Complaints

Loyola University Maryland is a participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

Out-of-state students enrolled in a Loyola distance education program may, after the student has exhausted the institution’s procedures for the resolution of grievances, and within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, file a written complaint to the Maryland Higher Education Commission, in a form prescribed by the Secretary of Higher Education.

A complaint may include, but is not limited to, allegations that the institution provided false or misleading:

1. Recruitment or marketing materials;
2. Job placement data;
3. Information about tuition, fees, or financial aid;
4. Information about admission requirements;
5. Information about the institution’s accreditation;
6. Information about whether course work meets relevant professional licensing requirements or the requirements of specialized accrediting bodies; and
7. Information about the transferability of course work to other institutions.

Additional details on the MHEC complaint.

SARA Student Complaint Process

Every student deserves a positive educational experience. Sometimes a student’s experience may not be what they anticipate, and the student may have a concern or a complaint.

SARA consumer protection provisions require the institution’s home state, through its SARA State Portal Entity, to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity by the state’s SARA-participating institutions, including the provision of false or misleading information.

A student has the right to lodge a complaint or grievance. The institution should ensure that all concerns and complaints of students are addressed fairly and are resolved promptly. Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.

An overview of How to File a SARA Student Complaint

Additional information can be found in Section 4 of the SARA Policy Manual.

The student should begin the complaint process with the institution and if resolution is not found, the student would contact the institution’s home state SARA Portal Entity. NC-SARA maintains a directory of State Portal Entity (SPE) Contacts and SARA Student Complaint Process Information by State.

FAQs For Students About Filing a Complaint

If you are a student wanting to know more about how to file a SARA-related complaint, please reference this tip sheet of Frequently Asked Questions.

Student Complaint Reports

NC-SARA maintains and publishes information regarding student complaints that have been appealed to an institution’s home state.
Complaint Reports by State

Student Grievance Contact Information for Individual States

The complaints process mandated by Loyola’s SARA participation does not preclude a student from filing a complaint with their state of residence. Contact information for each state’s relevant agency is available via the State Higher Education Executive Officers website.

State Authorizations

As stated in the catalogue, documents granting accreditation or state authorization approval to Loyola University Maryland are available for review in the records office during regular business hours.